THE FRIDAY BEE                                                                        October 10, 2025  

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12

9:00am

Meeting for Business

Hybrid –

In the Committee Room, and use the same Zoom link as for worship.

10:20am

Greeter

Lisa Holgash & Dudley Burdge

10:30am

Child Care

Starts in kindergarten building across the driveway

10:30am

Meeting for Worship

(Hybrid: In-person & on Zoom)

10:50am

First Day School

Older children attend Meeting for Worship with their families until 10:50 am, when their teachers will lead them to the Committee Room.

Questions? Please contact Carla Childs.

Note: Children of any age are always welcome to join their families in Meeting for Worship.

11:30am

Introductions & Announcements

Dorothy Cary

11:40am

Refreshments

Usha and Norris Childs

PROTOCOL FOR MEETING FOR WORSHIP (Zoom, hybrid, in-person)

Please maintain silence as you enter the Zoom meeting or the meetinghouse so Friends can center and settle into worship. Masks are optional in the meetinghouse. Feel free to wear one if you wish. We have a supply if you’ve forgotten yours. If you have a fever or are feeling unwell, please stay home and join our worship on Zoom.

MEETING FOR WORSHIP WITH A CONCERN FOR BUSINESS

Germantown Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends

October 12, 2024, 9:00 - 10:15am

Hybrid: On Zoom & in-person. Please use the Meeting for Worship zoom link:

AGENDA

  • Query –         Faye Steacy
  • Opening worship
  • Review of agenda – Karen Lightner
  • Approval the September 2025 Minutes
  • Clerk’s Report
  • Care and Visiting – Peter Samuel
  • Standing Nominating - David Mettler
  • Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting – Kelley White
  • Trustees Report – Bill Stassen (tentative)
  • Young Friends – Penny Volta
  • Assistant Clerk, Dorothy Cary – various announcements
  • Closing Worship

MEETING NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

YOUNG FRIENDS MEETING COMING UP

When?   Sunday, October 19, 4:00pm

Where?  GMM Meeting Cottage

Young Friends will be gathering to discuss planning an event in November to learn about Conscientious Objection.

Are you high school aged (or have a high schooler in your family), but haven’t been to Young Friends? Welcome!

  • Interested in attending on October 19th, please contact Lois Volta
GMM – COME BAKE WITH LOWER SCHOOLERS!

When?  Thursday, October 23, 3:30 - 5:00pm

Where? Meetinghouse Kitchen

Come join GFS Lower School families in making and decorating cupcakes for the men in recovery at the Whosoever Gospel Mission in Germantown.

SAVE THE DATE: POTLUCK LUNCH AFTER MEETING – LET’S GATHER!

When?   Sunday, October 26, at the rise of Meeting

Where?  GMM – Committee & Social Rooms

We are the host site for Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting in October – so let’s enjoy some fellowship over lunch! All are welcome!

Dust off your favorite dish to share with a crowd – and ideally, let us know you’ll be coming.

  • RSVP Here – All are welcome – and if you’re able to let us know in advance, that would be super helpful.
BUMPER STICKERS TO SUPPORT JUDGES

Bumper stickers are available to encourage folks to vote to retain the PA judges who kept the Commonwealth from using the gerrymandered map. A supply of stickers are on the counter in the Committee Room (see Dorothy Cary for more).

GMM READS TO GFS LOWER SCHOOLERS! PLEASE SIGN UP!

GMM again has the opportunity to read to Lower School students on the Thursdays when they have "informal meeting for worship." These are days when teachers have flexibility in how/where the students worship. GMM is invited to join by reading books that illustrate any of the Friends’ testimonies, and then staying with the class for the worship period.  

How does it work? 

  1. View the available dates on this sheet (or click here) -- You can sign up for particular grades if you like, and more than one person can sign up for particular dates since there are many lower school classrooms.  
  2. Contact Dorothy Cary to let her know your preferred date, and she will confirm it & update the schedule.
  3. Choose a book: Or ask librarian Kate Garrity to help you choose a book.
  4. Confirmation Email: Teacher Jenny Goldberg will send an email about two weeks in advance, to confirm volunteers, connect them to a classroom teacher, and let them know the grade level they’ll be visiting.
  5. On your scheduled day: Go to school at 8:30am, where Jenny Goldberg will meet you in the front hall of the Main Building, and take you to the classroom. It is really fun! Please join us.      

Questions? Contact Dorothy Cary

☕ 🍪 VOLUNTEER TO PROVIDE REFRESHMENTS THIS FALL! ☕ 🍪

Please volunteer to provide refreshments after worship in the Fall.

  • Make it a family activity   ◆   Partner up with a friend
  • Make it a Committee activity, while promoting your committee's work?

Please look ahead and pick a date:

November 23

December 14 - December 21

Please contact Becky Johnson. THANK YOU!

Thanks to all who provided refreshments over the past year!

Note: Refreshments expenses are reimbursable or can be credited as in-kind donations to GMM.

QUAKER NEWS & EVENTS

HOW FAITH COMMUNITIES CAN SUPPORT IMMIGRANTS

Friends Center continues its 50th Anniversary celebration as the Quaker Hub for Peace and Justice in Philadelphia with its next nonviolent action training.

When? This Sunday, October 12, 3:00 - 5:00pm

Where? Friends Center (1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia)

Join Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends for a workshop on how to support the immigrant justice movement with the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia. NSM will share updates on what’s happening on the ground and how to stand in solidarity with immigrant communities right now—through Accompaniment, ICE Watch, campaigns, and direct actions. We’ll then take a deep dive into how to prepare our congregations and faith communities in case ICE ever comes to them. Refreshments and child care provided.

Free and Open to all! Refreshments will be provided.

Read more about all of the trainings here

FRIENDS, DEFEND DEMOCRACY! MEET TO PLAN CONTINUING RESISTANCE!

Friends in Philadelphia are organizing to defend democracy. They ask us to join together for a major turnout at the No Kings march on Saturday, Oct.18 and for the critical election on November 4 to retain PA judges, safeguarding the 2026 elections.

Together we will plan our continuing resistance. 

 

Friends from all Meetings in the Philadelphia Quarter are invited to a Zoom gathering

When?  Monday evening, October 13 at 7 PM 

What?   To plan our participation in the No Kings march and further actions.

  • Please RSVP HERE to receive the Zoom link for the meeting, or if you are unable to attend the meeting, to be kept informed as our plans develop.
POETRY AT SPIRITUAL PRACTICE – FRIENDS GENERAL CONFERENCE (FGC) FALL SERIES

When?  Starts Wednesday, October 15, 3:00 - 5:00pm

Where? Virtual; register for link

The Poetry as Spiritual Practice workshop invites you to experiment with words as a way to deepen your connection with your Inner Guide. No writing or poetry experience necessary. Just bring yourself and writing materials. The Fall Series meets monthly from October through December. Each session is stand-alone.

The pay-as-led suggested fee for each session is $20; $50 for the series.​

PHILADELPHIA QUARTERLY MEETING – FALL SESSION … PLEASE SIGN UP BY 10/17!

When?  Sunday, October 26, 10:30am – 4:00pm 

Where? Germantown Monthly Meeting (47 W Coulter St)

Program Topic: Outreach, Community Care, and Children

Join Friends for a day of worship, connection, and community! Reflect, share, and learn in breakout sessions on Outreach, Pastoral Care, and Religious Education. Lunch and childcare are provided.

CLIMATE WITNESS WORKSHOP – QUAKER CLIMATE ACTION!

When? Saturday, October 25, 2025, 9am - 4pm

Where? Arch Street Meeting House and on Zoom

Mark your calendars and register while workshop space is available! Climate Witness: Let Our Actions Speak!

Friends from across Philadelphia Yearly Meeting will be gathering to confer, learn and plan what we can do in our homes, our meetings and in the greater community to address the climate crisis. For people newly concerned about the climate, energy and the environment, this will be an introduction to different action alternatives available to Friends in our region.

For experienced (and perhaps frustrated or burned out) activists, this will be a chance to network and recharge your energy and enthusiasm for addressing the challenges we face. Participants will have choices of both morning and afternoon workshops, depending on your interests. In both the morning and afternoon there will be a youth track, with the hope of allowing young Friends from meetings and Friends schools in the region to network, share concerns, and build toward collaboration going forward.

PYM YOUNG FRIENDS FALL GATHERING AT CLIMATE WITNESS WORKSHOP

When? Saturday, October 25, 2025, 9am - 4pm

Where? Arch Street Meeting House

Join Young Friends (YF) from around Philadelphia Yearly Meeting for the opportunity to participate in workshops aimed at building knowledge, providing resources, and creating a toolkit for action.

  • The day will also include a YF discussion about youth voices in climate justice, group games, and time for just hanging out!
  • Lunch will be a brown bag picnic…bring a snack to share!
  • More information and registration here!
  • Questions?  Contact Ember Eldridge (PYM’s YF Facilitator) eeldridge@pym.org
NEW QUAKER CHECKLIST TIP #31 – LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE FGC GATHERING 

Following the effort of Friends General Conference (FGC), supporting newcomers as well as offering a refresher for oldtimers, each week there will be a tip from FGC’s New Quaker Checklist – “steps to take to deepen your faith and connect to other Friends in North America.” Try one, or try them all!

  • Tip #31:  Learn about the history of the FGC Gathering through A Gathering of Spirits.
  • But what is The Gathering? Friends from Friends General Conference come together annually from across North America (and sometimes further) to deepen connection to one another and the Spirit. The Gathering is typically held on a college campus in late June through early July, and location changes from year to year.
  • Read more about it here
PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)

GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL (GFS) NEWS & EVENTS

ATTEND GFS MEETING FOR WORSHIP DURING THE WEEK

GFS welcomes GMM to attend Meeting for Worship during the school year. Schedule for upcoming week:                

  • Middle School: Monday, 10/13, 10:20 - 11:00am        
  • Upper School: Thursday, 10/16, 10:10 - 11:00am
CELEBRATE LGBTQIA+ HISTORY MONTH with FRIENDS FREE LIBRARY! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

October is LGBTQIA+ History Month!  Stop by the library to check out the featured titles below and click here for additional titles in our collection for readers of all ages. Friends Free Library is open to GMM after school each weekday until 6 pm.

COMMUNITY EVENT: POETRY READING AND OPEN MIC

When?  Wednesday, October 15, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m

Where? GFS Friends Free Library 

Hosted annually by Friends Free Library, the community group Women in Transition will hold their ninth annual poetry event here in the library on Wednesday evening, October 15th. "Amplifying Our Voices: Empowerment Through Poetry & Community" will feature Germantown resident and past Philadelphia Poet Laureate Trapeta Mayson as our emcee, as well as readings by current poets in the Philadelphia region. Open mic to follow. 

MERCER TATE '48 LECTURE FEATURING FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CANADA, DAVID L. COHEN

When?   Friday, October 17, 10:15 - 11:00am

Where? Taulane Auditorium, Loeb Performing Arts Center (or by livestream)

Nominated by President Joe Biden and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate, David L. Cohen served as the United States Ambassador to Canada from 2021 to 2025.

The Mercer Tate '48 Lecture was established in 1992 in honor and memory of Mercer D. Tate, a lifer at Germantown Friends School, and features prominent speakers from various fields of public service. Tate was a dedicated public servant devoted to the GFS community and to Philadelphia. Among his many public service activities, he was the Democratic leader of the ninth ward in Philadelphia, president of the Fellowship Commission, president of the United Neighborhood Centers of America, and a delegate to the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, where he helped rewrite the state constitution.

TAKE ACTION!

COLLECTING CHILDREN’S BOOKS FOR FRIENDS OF VERNON PARK

Do you have gently-used children’s books you no longer need?

GMM member Ruth Seeley collects them for the 2 Little Free Libraries in Vernon Park.  

SUPPORT VERNON PARK - ANNUAL BAZAAR & FLEA MARKET

When & Where?  Saturday, October 18, 9:00am - 3:00pm (Vernon Park, 5800 Greene Street)

Please support central Germantown’s largest open green space. Friends of Vernon Park are holding their annual Bazaar and Flea Market on Saturday October 18 – This event funds our activities and volunteer expenses through the year. Come join us! All are welcome!

DEADLINE FOR VOTER REGISTRATION – OCTOBER 20TH 🇺🇲☑️

Don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard.

Know anyone who isn’t registered? Urge them… Share info on how to register!

“NO KINGS MARCH” – PHILADELPHIA, PART OF NATIONWIDE PROTESTS

In Philadelphia, No Kings Day, Part 2 will be a march from City Hall to Independence Mall.

“No Kings” is more than just a slogan — it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and on posters, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together. March with other protesters on this important day to show our determination and power.

What:  Mass Protester March, No Kings Day, Part 2, from Philadelphia City Hall to Independence Mall

When: Next Saturday, October 18, 12:00 - 3:00pm

Where: Gather for rally at 12 noon at City Hall, 15th Street & JFK Blvd., and march to Independence Mall. Ends at 3 p.m.

To sign up and find out more, go to https://mobilize.us/s/fnJSwE 

HELP “GREEN” OUR NEIGHBORHOODS! 🌳
FREE YARD TREE GIVEAWAY

When?  Saturday, October 18, 10:00am - 3:00pm

Where? Maplewood Mall (2-20 Maplewood Avenue, Germantown)

TreePhilly is the Community Forestry program of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, working to plant and care for an equitable tree canopy for all residents. Free trees are available for Philadelphia residents only and must be planted in the ground (not in a pot) on private property in the city of Philadelphia. Register for your tree by October 15th.

Looking for a free street tree to plant along the sidewalk in front of your house or business? Click here for more information on that

BOOK TALK ON PALESTINE –

“Thou Shalt Not Stand Idly By: Jews of Conscience on Palestine” with author Susan Landau

When?  Sunday, October 19 from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.

Where? Summit Presbyterian Church (6757 Greene St, Philadelphia)

Susan Landau will talk about and offer several selections for reflection and discussion from her recently published book, Thou Shalt Not Stand Idly By: Jews of Conscience on Palestine. The book looks at Jewish dissent to Zionism from the beginning of the movement.  

All are invited to respectful learning and discussion in the parlor after the coffee hour. We’ll have additional light refreshments.

Reading the book ahead of time is not required, but it’s available to read online or download at no charge (and to order) here.

REACH OUT TO STOP TRUMP'S MADNESS, in Chestnut Hill

Reach out against Trump's injustice and brutality against people and our democracy. Posters and banners provided.

What?   Reach-Out to generate protest against Trump's assault on justice and peace everywhere.

When?  Saturday, October 25, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Where? In Chestnut Hill next to the "Welcome to Chestnut Hill" sign, near the busy intersection at Cresheim Lane & Germantown Avenue (across from the Peace Park and the Saturday Farmers Market).

What to bring: Yourself and friends. Sunscreen, water, and a lawn chair if you wish to sit.

TRYING TO FIND SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS?

Mobilize is a central posting site that has opportunities concerning local actions for protest and in support of social justice.

ONGOING – MONDAYS @ MCCORMICK’S

When?  Mondays, 12:00noon - 1:00pm, rain or shine

Where?  2000 Market Street, Senator McCormick’s Philadelphia office

Join in weekly to assemble peaceably - as is our constitutional right - outside Senator McCormick's Philadelphia office until he agrees to meet with us and support our demands: (These will change as conditions develop)

ONGOING – WE THE PEOPLE WEDNESDAYS – SINGING FOR SANITY

When?   Every Wednesday at 4:00pm 

Where?  Allens Lane Station in Mt. Airy

Join neighbors at the Allens Lane Station in Mt. Airy every Wednesday afternoon for a new protest group!

There will be protest songs led by local musicians each week, speakers describing the cruelty and madness of our F/Elon leaders, and following up with actions.

  • Watch their website for more information on the music & speakers each week: WeThePeopleWeds.org
ONGOING – JOIN THE VIGIL with FRIDAYS AT FETTERMAN’S

When?   Every Friday from 11:15 – 12:15pm

Where?  In front of Senator Fetterman’s office (230 Chestnut Street)

What?    Join together with people committed to a Middle East peace solution to urge Senator Fetterman to support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Fridays @ Fetterman’s is supported by the AFSC, Brandywine Peace Community, Granny Peace Brigade, IfNotNowPhilly, Prayers for Peace Alliance, the Simple Way and The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Phila. Branch.

GERMANTOWN & NEARBY

SECOND SATURDAYS IN GERMANTOWN

When?  Saturday, October 11

Where? All over the Germantown area

Enjoy and explore tours and events at up to 20 sites in the Germantown area.

Including a foraging walk at Stenton… Explore Germantown Cemeteries

ROXYUNK PORCH FEST
(including a children’s concert with a GMM member!)

When? Tomorrow, Saturday, October 11, 12 - 6:00pm

RoxYunk Porchfest is a do-it-yourself music festival where bands and other musical acts play free live shows for the public throughout the day, and neighbors throughout Roxborough and Manayunk volunteer to host them at their porches, driveways, yards, etc.

And from GMM Member Vicki Spaeth Nyce – “Jump, Jive, and Jam, the [GFS] early childhood music program Alison Hilley and I run, will be the musical entertainment for the Kids Corner at the RoxYunk PorchFest TOMORROW.  I will be playing two sets at the Pocket Park (6170 Ridge Ave, directly next to the New Ridge Brewing Company) at noon and 1 pm, so if you have a young music lover in your life, come sing, dance, and jam out with me!  I will be playing a mixture of children's songs (geared to ages 0-6) as well as kid-friendly adult favorites.”

FREE YARD TREE GIVEAWAY

When?  Saturday, October 18, 10:00am - 3:00pm

Where? Maplewood Mall (2-20 Maplewood Avenue, Germantown)

TreePhilly is the Community Forestry program of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, working to plant and care for an equitable tree canopy for all residents. Free trees are available for Philadelphia residents only and must be planted in the ground (not in a pot) on private property in the city of Philadelphia. Register for your tree by October 15th.

Looking for a free street tree to plant along the sidewalk in front of your house or business? Click here for more information on that

QUAKER RESOURCES

OTHER (VIRTUAL) WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
  • Pendle Hill – Daily Zoom meeting for worship online from 8:30-9:10 am
  • Friends Council on National Legislation (FCNL) Witness Wednesdays: Weekly worship at 5:15pm (ET)
  • Friends General Conference’s (FGC) has many options for worship & discussion, including Newcomers & Seekers, Friends of Color Monthly worship, BIPOC Womxn’s space, White Friends Confronting Racism, Gen X Friends (new), Neurodivergent Friends (new). The offerings keep growing! Click here for the calendar
  • Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) Worship with Attention to Gaza/Palestine: Tuesdays at 12:00noon (ET) on Zoom

FOR QUAKER NEWCOMERS: Friends General Conference New Quaker Hub

QUAKER ORGANIZATIONS

Stay connected with news, work and resources of various Friends groups. Bookmark them for easy reference

Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting (PQM)

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM)

Friends General Conference (FGC)

Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)

Friends Council on Education (FCE)

American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)